Rotary District 6080 donations arrive in Panama

Nine pallets of eagerly-awaited donated goods from Rotary District 6080 have arrived in Panama for distribution. Three hundred “well-baby kits” with items such as baby shampoo, blankets, soap, lotion, books, diaper rash ointment and Vaseline were packed in reusable duffel bags at the Rotary District Conference in October 2011 and shipped with the assistance of the Missouri National Guard and US Navy to Rotarians in Panama for distribution to new mothers in need.

Vincente Pascual, member of the Panama Rotary Club, sent word to District 6080 that the items had arrived in late December, “I’m happy to inform you we received from our friends, the US Navy and US Embassy in Panama, the nine pallets of donations.” In addition to the well-baby kits Rotarians donated thirty-five PET hand cars, a type of wheelchair, to aide Panamanians who have lost use of their legs.

“We will visit public hospitals and their maternity wards to provide the well-baby kits to those in need. We are also looking for recipients for the PET hand cars and have already identified a few for this life-changing vehicle,” Pascual stated.

Rotary District 6080 is comprised of 3008 Rotarians from 50 of clubs who worked together to secure donations of goods and money to make the partnership between Panama and Missouri possible. Photos submitted.